Regulatory Barriers to Communities and Smallholders Earning Their Living From Timber in Indonesia
Led the development of this project, which looked at enabling forest users to exercise their rights, rethinking barriers to communities and smallholders earning their living from timber in Indonesia. This involved a detailed review of forest resources, resource-dependent people and tenure arrangements, including policy developments and analysis of relevant institutions in these areas. A review of formal policy surrounding community forestry and market regulations was also included in this work.
Context
Indonesia's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2060 requires rapid transformation of its energy system — yet transitions that ignore social equity risk deepening inequality, displacing workers, and excluding communities from decision-making.
This programme worked with three provincial governments to embed social inclusion criteria into energy planning, drawing on participatory research and policy analysis grounded in local realities.
Approach
Dala led mixed-methods research combining household surveys, key informant interviews, and multi-stakeholder workshops across provincial capitals and coal-affected districts.
We developed a social inclusion framework for energy transition planning, tested through pilot provincial action plans and validated with civil society, utilities, and government partners.